The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 06, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 11, 1996
Jeffrey R Shultz, Wilmington, DE (US);
Barry C Crispin, Bridgeton, NJ (US);
Mannington Mills, Inc., Salem, NJ (US);
Abstract
The present invention discloses surface covering products and methods and an apparatus for making surface covering products. In particular, the method of the present invention includes depositing color particles on a moving carrier to form a base layer. The base layer then comes in contact with a patterned embossing device such as a roll to create a depressed or displaced pattern image on the base layer. Afterwards, accent particles or pellets are sprinkled or applied over the embossed base layer. The embossed base layer is subjected to heat and/or pressure to consolidate the accent and color particles and form a preformed mass. The preformed mass is then pressed to form a fused, texture-created structure. The surface covering products made from the process of the present invention have unique geometric patterns with well-defined grout lines or irregular decorative designs.